By: Kamila Kolpashnikova and Cathrine Becker
July 11, 2024
The HEFT Lab
Executive Summary
Understanding the daily time-use patterns in housework is essential for addressing the gendered division of household labor. This policy brief outlines the findings from a study that uses data visualization to analyze how men and women of different age groups allocate their time to household tasks throughout the day. Our analysis reveals persistent gender inequalities and age-related variations in housework participation, emphasizing the need for targeted policy interventions to promote equitable distribution of household responsibilities.
While previous research has focused on overall time spent on housework, there is a lack of understanding of the specific temporal patterns of housework throughout the day. This gap hinders the development of effective policies to address the nuanced dynamics of household labor. Women consistently perform more housework than men across all age groups, with a 10% higher participation rate. Older individuals engage more in household tasks, particularly during mealtimes, indicating a significant age-related variation. We recommend two options to address this gender gap among older adults:
Implement educational campaigns to promote equitable sharing of housework responsibilities across genders.
Develop support programs for older adults to manage household tasks more efficiently.
Introduction
Housework significantly affects daily life, particularly in how time is allocated across genders and age groups. Using data from the 2015 Canadian General Social Survey, our study visualizes how men and women of different ages engage in housework throughout the day. Key findings indicate persistent gender disparities, with women consistently doing more housework than men, visualized in Figure 1. The data presented visualizes when different ages and genders report when their housework is completed. For both men and women, younger age groups (categories between 15 and 54 years of age) tend to complete housework tasks later in the day, with most clustered around 18:00 (6PM). However, as adults grow older (55 and above), the housework tends to be completed earlier, usually around 12:00 (noon).
[Figure 1: Daily time-use pattern on housework in Canada by Gender and Age Groups, Source: Statistics Canada: General Social Survey Cycle 29: Time Use.]
From this data we know that older individuals engage more in household tasks, with peak participation during mealtimes. Addressing these gender and age disparities is crucial for fostering gender equality and supporting aging populations.
The findings highlight the need for policy interventions to address these persistent and age-related disparities in housework. We recommend two policies that aim to promote equitable distribution of household labor by developing education programs and by providing household task supports for aging adults.
The Problem
Existing policies have not adequately addressed the temporal aspects of housework, focusing instead on overall time use. This oversight leaves a gap in understanding how housework is distributed throughout the day and how it affects different demographic groups. The persistent gender inequality in housework participation and the increased engagement of older adults necessitate targeted policy measures.
Gender norms and societal structures continue to influence the division of housework, with approximately 10% more women participating in housework compared to men across all age groups. As individuals age, their participation in housework increases, particularly during mealtimes. These patterns indicate a need for policies that support equitable sharing of household responsibilities and address the specific needs of different age groups.
Option 1: Educational Campaigns to Tackle Gender Disparities
We recommendation the implementation national and community-based educational campaigns to promote equitable sharing of housework responsibilities among all genders. From past research, we know that gender norms significantly influence housework participation, which supports our findings. Educational campaigns can help shift these norms and encourage more balanced household labor.
Timeline: Implement over the next 3-5 years with periodic evaluations.
Community Partners: Collaborate with educational institutions, community organizations, and media outlets.
Potential Weakness: Cultural resistance to changing traditional gender roles.
Example of Success: Sweden's national gender equality campaign, which included educational programs and media campaigns, successfully promoted the equitable sharing of housework. This initiative led to a significant increase in men's participation in household tasks and contributed to a more balanced division of labor at home. For more details, see Sweden's Gender Equality Campaign.
Option 2: Lunch-time Housework Support Programs for Older Adults
An alternative solution is to develop or provide incentives for development of support programs to help older adults manage household tasks more efficiently, particularly at the time of the day when such support is most needed, such as during the lunch time (see Figure 1). Older individuals have more discretionary time but may need assistance in managing housework due to physical limitations or other factors.
Timeline: Launch pilot programs within the next 2 years and expand based on feedback and effectiveness.
Community Partners: Partner with senior centers, healthcare providers, NGOs, and local government agencies.
Potential Weakness: Funding and resource allocation challenges.
Example of Success: In Japan, local governments encourage community members to implement mutual support services for older adults, often through subsidies, including home help services and community-based assistance programs. These initiatives have helped older individuals maintain their independence and manage household tasks more effectively.
Addressing the gender and age-related disparities in housework participation is crucial for promoting gender equality and supporting the well-being of aging populations. By implementing educational campaigns and support programs, policymakers can create more balanced and supportive environments for all individuals. These measures will not only improve the quality of life in older age but also foster a more equitable society. Policymakers must act now to implement these recommendations, ensuring that household responsibilities are shared more equitably across genders and age groups. This will require collaboration across various sectors and continuous evaluation to adapt and improve the interventions.
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